Yellow Pages job cuts leave loyal workers behind

TORONTO – Unifor condemns the announcement by Yellow Pages Limited to eliminate the jobs of clerical workers in Ontario.

“Despite a 70-year relationship between unionized workers and Yellow Pages Limited, the company is choosing to target unionized workers in Ontario with unnecessary job cuts,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “I call on Yellow Pages management to reverse this decision.”

In communication to employees on January 17, management of Yellow Pages Limited announced the closure of all clerical functions in Ontario, eliminating 80 unionized jobs. This move is part of a recent announcement to eliminate 500 jobs at Yellow Pages across Canada, approximately 18% of its employees. While the entire clerical workforce in Ontario has been targeted by these cuts, similar work will continue to be done by thousands of non-unionized employees in other provinces and in the U.S.

“Unifor members in Ontario have been steadfast in their commitment to evolving with and supporting Yellow Pages through a period of undeniable technological change,” said Pearl Almeida, President of Unifor Local 6006. “Yellow Pages can choose to build a successful company through respecting its workers, but instead, management has chosen to join the race to the bottom.”

Unifor represents 80 clerical workers in the GTA whose jobs are threatened by this announcement. Unifor said it is exploring all possible options to protect members and good union jobs as the situation progresses.

“As Yellow Pages moves into the digital world, it’s dedicated employees like these Unifor members who have brought them there. These cuts are a cruel answer to the years of service Unifor members have given the company. Unifor will fight to defend these members’ jobs,” said Dias.

For further information: please contact Unifor Communications National Representative Sarah McCue at sarah.mccue@unifor.org or 416-458-3307 (cell).